by Alvin Low
Click here for more information on the country of Myanmar (formerly known as Burma)
Three-hundred-and-one delegates from forty-three denominations gathered at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Yangon for the first AD 2000 Myanmar Congress on Evangelism on March 25-30, 1996 organized by the Myanmar AD2000 Committee. The hot weather and noise from without did not dampen their spirit nor discourage them from their participation in the Congress.
The Lord provided four key speakers from different ethnic backgrounds and countries giving a model for unity: Don Marchant (An American, President of Equipped To Go, Los Angeles); Chris Balaga (A Filipino, serving with Philippine Challenge & DAWN); Dr. Gerald Rowland (An Australian, VP with International Christian Mission); and Dr. Alvin Low (A Chinese, President of ACTS International). The morning sessions focused on the Master as the speakers expounded the Scriptures relating to unity of the church, followed by training on the "methods" and "models" of church planting. Dr. Ramesh Richard emphasized the "messenger" needed for church planting. One of the distinctive features of the Congress is its focus on the Bible -- much to the delight of the delegates as they waited eagerly for the rich exposition of the Word. Another feature was the building of common themes by the various speakers.
Rev. Myo Chit, Chairman of the Myanmar Evangelical Christian Fellowship challenged the delegates to work together in unity to claim Myanmar for Christ, and joined hands with the delegates on the evening of March 29 in affirming the Declaration during the closing service.
Declaration of the Myanmar Congress on Evangelism: The following is the text of the public commitments of the delegates at the final session of the Congress:
We humbly declare our dependence on our sovereign Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to implement these commitments, to the glory of the Father, under the direction and enablement of the Holy Spirit.
The purpose of the Pastors Conferences will be to give quick and basic training to pastors who have not received any or received very little training so that they can be equipped for multiplication impact. The pastors will be carefully selected, and they must have a commitment to each train at least 10 more pastors every year.
I trust that the above report encourages your heart. Let us uphold them in our prayers that the Lord will send a revival in that country, and that churches will be planted throughout that land.
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04/05/96